Rumex sanguineus
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-meks san-GWIN-ee-us
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Bloody dock is a perennial native to Europe and parts of northern Iran. It has beautiful deeply-veined leaves that offer both ornamental and edible value.
This plant grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It naturally grows well in ditches as they are more likely to have consistent moisture. While it grows tall stalks of flowers, these can be trimmed back to encourage bushier leaf growth and prevent rampant self-seeding. Plant seeds in spring.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Herb & Flower Cottage Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rumex
- Species:
- sanguineus
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, N. Iran
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in parts of US and Canada
- Edibility:
- Young leaves are edible raw or cooked, having a tart flavor. Older leaves are bitter and tough. Less commonly grown for eating than other species.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Star-shaped flowers in early Summer on stems 2-3 ft. tall. Mature from green to red-brown.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Deeply red-purple veined leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Reddish flowering stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- May cause mild stomach upset or irritate skin in those sensitive. Oxalic acid can bind to nutrients if ingested in large quantities, preventing absorption.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Oxalic acid
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
